In unusually caustic terms, Mr. Walcott said he was “appalled” by the remarks of five Democrats at a forum on Saturday, in which the candidates denounced Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s focus on test scores, charter schools and the closing of low-performing schools.

Mr. Walcott called The New York Times on Monday to express his frustration after he had read a transcript of what was said at the forum, which was sponsored by the United Federation of Teachers.